The Society of Jesus commonly known as the Jesuits is the most successful and enduring global missionary enterprise in history Founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1540 the Jesuit order has preached the Gospel managed a vast educational network and shapedthe Catholic Church society and politics in all corners of the earth The Jesuits international impact and openness to dialogue with non-European cultures generated controversy-and led to their suppression by Pope Clement XIV in 1773 Restored in 1814 the Jesuits grew rapidly and had particular influence on the formation of schools and universities an influence that continues to this day In our global era marked by deep religious and cultural pluralism what can we learn from the historical and contemporary experience of the Society of Jesus What do the Jesuits tell us about globalization and what can globalization tells us about the Jesuits This volume is divided into two parts historical legacies and contemporary challenges and brings together